Directions: Work to paraphrase the poem into its literal meaning, identify the examples of figurative language and satirical devices, and determine the tone of the poem and the poem’s theme. Sonnet 130 (My mistress’ eyes ….) By William Shakespeare My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress when she walks treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare. What six complaints the speaker has made about his “mistress:”: What is the figurative language used? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ What are the satirical elements used? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ What is the effect of this comparison? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ What is the tone of the poem up to this point? Explain. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ In Shakespeare’s time, the word reeks didn’t have the negative connotation that it does today. How does this change your understanding of the line? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ The speaker is not always the poet. Who could the speaker be? To whom could the speaker be talking to? ___________________________.

1. Directions: Work to paraphrase the poem into its literal
meaning, identify the
examples of figurative language and satirical devices, and
determine the tone
of the poem and the poem’s theme.
Sonnet 130 (My mistress’ eyes ….)
By William Shakespeare
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.

2. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
What six complaints the speaker has made about his “mistress:”:
What is the figurative language used?
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What are the satirical elements used?
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3. What is the effect of this comparison?
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What is the tone of the poem up to this point? Explain.
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In Shakespeare’s time, the word reeks didn’t have the negative
connotation that it does today.
How does this change your understanding of the line?
_____________________________________________________
_________________________

4. _____________________________________________________
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The speaker is not always the poet. Who could the speaker be?
To whom could the speaker be
talking to?
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Pick two tone adjectives to describe the speaker’s attitude
towards the subject.
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5. _____________________________________________________
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Identify the poem’s central theme. What is the purpose of the
poem overall? What is
Shakespeare suggesting about life?
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Why do you think the poet only describes the physical features
of his mistress? Nothing is
written to describe her personality. Why do you think this is?
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6. _____________________________________________________
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On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how would you
rate this sonnet as a love
poem? Explain.
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If the order of the poem’s lines were reversed and the speaker
started by telling the mistress he
loves her, before mentioning the negative points, how would
this change your view of the
poem?
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7. _________________________
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